tow HONDA INSIGHT 2000 1.G Owners Manual

2000 Insight Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com. Contents
Introduction
........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
........................................ .ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .43
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... 81
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................117
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .131
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................145
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Car e........................................................................\
..................................................... .197
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................205
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, a nd how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................231
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................243
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................249
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Your Car at a Glance.....................................................................................\
....................2
Owner's Identification Form

Servic
e Statio n Procedure s

Oil Check
Chec k th e engin e oi l leve l ever y tim e
yo u fil l th e ca r wit h fuel . Wai t a fe w
minute s afte r turnin g th e engin e of f
befor e yo u chec k th e oil .
1 . Remov e th e dipstic k (orang e

handle) .
2
. Wip e th e dipstic k wit h a clea n
clot h o r pape r towel . 3
. Inser t i t al l th e wa y bac k in it s tube .

Befor e Drivin g

DIPSTIC
K

Drivin
g

Thi s sectio n give s yo u tip s o n
startin g th e engin e unde r variou s
conditions , an d ho w to operat e th e
manua l transmission . I t als o include s
importan t informatio n o n parkin g
you r car , an d th e brakin g system . Preparin
g to Drive........................ . 13 2
Startin g th e Engine....................... . 13 3
Startin g in Col d Weathe r
a t Hig h Altitude.................... . 13 3
Aut o Idl e Stop................................ . 13 4
5-spee d Manua l Transmission.... . 13 6
Shif t Up/Shif t Dow n
Indicators............................... . 13 7
Engin e Spee d Limiter.............. . 13 7
Parking........................................... . 13 8
Parkin g Tips.............................. . 13 8
Th e Brakin g System..................... . 13 9
Brak e Wea r Indicators............. . 13 9
Brak e Syste m Design............... . 14 0
Anti-loc k Brakes....................... . 14 0
Drivin g in Ba d Weather............... . 14 2
Towin g a Trailer........................... . 14 3

Drivin g

Parkin
g
Alway s us e th e parkin g brak e whe n
yo u par k you r car . Th e indicato r o n
th e instrumen t pane l show s tha t th e
parkin g brak e is no t full y released ; i t
doe s no t indicat e tha t th e parkin g
brak e is firml y set . Mak e sur e th e
parkin g brak e is se t firml y o r you r
ca r ma y rol l i f i t i s parke d o n a n
incline . I
f th e ca r i s facin g uphill , tur n th e
fron t wheel s awa y fro m th e cur b an d
pu t th e transmissio n in firs t gear .
I f th e ca r i s facin g downhill , tur n th e
fron t wheel s towar d th e cur b an d pu t
th e transmissio n in revers e gear .
Mak e sur e th e parkin g brak e is full y
release d befor e drivin g away .
Drivin g wit h th e parkin g brak e
partiall y se t ca n overhea t o r damag e
th e rea r brakes . Parkin
g Tip s Mak
e sur e th e window s ar e closed .
Tur n of f th e lights .
Plac e an y packages , valuables , etc. ,
i n th e storag e bo x o r tak e the m
wit h you .
Loc k th e doors .
Neve r par k ove r dr y leaves , tal l
grass , o r othe r flammabl e
materials . Th e thre e wa y catalyti c
converte r get s ver y hot , an d coul d
caus e thes e material s t o catc h o n
fire .

Drivin g

Drivin
g in Ba d Weather , Towin g a Traile r

Tractio n — Chec k you r tire s
frequentl y fo r wea r an d prope r
pressure . Bot h ar e importan t i n
preventin g "hydroplaning " (los s o f
tractio n o n a we t surface) . I n th e
winter , moun t sno w tire s o n al l fou r
wheel s fo r th e bes t handling .
Watc h roa d condition s carefully ,
the y ca n chang e fro m momen t t o
moment . We t leave s ca n b e a s slip -
per y a s ice . "Clear " road s ca n hav e
patche s o f ice . Drivin g condition s
ca n b e ver y hazardou s whe n th e
outsid e temperatur e is nea r freezing .
Th e roa d surfac e ca n becom e
covere d wit h area s o f wate r puddle s
mixe d wit h area s o f ice , s o you r
tractio n ca n chang e withou t warning .
B e carefu l whe n downshifting . I f
tractio n is low , yo u ca n loc k u p th e
driv e wheel s fo r a momen t an d caus e

a skid .
B
e ver y cautiou s whe n passing , o r
whe n bein g passe d b y othe r vehicles .
Th e spra y fro m larg e vehicle s
reduce s you r visibility , an d th e win d
buffetin g ca n caus e yo u to los e

control .
Towin
g a Traile r
You r vehicl e is no t designe d to to w a
trailer . Attemptin g to d o s o ca n voi d
you r warranties .

Driving

Batter
y

Chec k th e conditio n o f you r car' s
batter y monthly . Yo u shoul d chec k
th e colo r o f th e tes t indicato r window ,
an d fo r corrosio n o n th e terminals .
TES
T INDICATO R WINDO W

Chec k th e batter y conditio n b y
lookin g a t th e tes t indicato r windo w
o n th e battery .
Th e labe l o n th e batter y explain s th e
tes t indicator' s colors . Chec
k th e batter y terminal s fo r
corrosio n ( a whit e o r yellowis h
powder) . T o remov e it , cove r th e
terminal s wit h a solutio n o f bakin g
sod a an d water . I t wil l bubbl e u p an d
tur n brown . Whe n thi s stops , was h it
of f wit h plai n water . Dr y of f th e
batter y wit h a clot h o r pape r towel .
Coa t th e terminal s wit h greas e t o
hel p preven t futur e corrosion .

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

Wipe
r Blade s
Chec k th e conditio n o f th e wipe r
blade s a t leas t ever y si x months .
Loo k fo r sign s o f crackin g in th e
rubber , o r area s tha t ar e gettin g
hard . Replac e th e blade s i f yo u fin d
thes e signs , o r the y leav e streak s
an d unwipe d area s whe n used . WIPE
R ARM S
T o replac e th e blade :
1 . Rais e th e wipe r ar m of f th e
windshield . 2
. Disconnec t th e blad e assembl y
fro m th e wipe r ar m b y pushin g i n
th e loc k tab . Hol d i t i n whil e yo u
pus h th e blad e assembl y towar d
th e bas e o f th e arm .

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

LOC
K TA B

Storin
g You r Ca r

I f yo u nee d t o par k you r ca r fo r a n
extende d perio d (mor e tha n on e
month) , ther e ar e severa l thing s yo u
shoul d d o t o prepar e it fo r storage .
Prope r preparatio n help s preven t
deterioratio n an d make s i t easie r t o
ge t you r ca r bac k o n th e road. If
possible , stor e you r ca r indoors .
Fil l th e fue l tank .
Chang e th e engin e oi l an d filte r
(se e pag e 161 ).
Was h an d dr y th e exterio r

completely .

Clea n th e interior . Mak e sur e th e
carpeting , floo r mats, etc. ar e
completel y dry .
Leav e th e parkin g brak e off . Pu t
th e transmissio n i n Reverse . Bloc
k th e rea r wheels .
I f th e ca r i s t o b e store d fo r a
longe r period , i t shoul d b e
supporte d o n jackstand s s o th e
tire s ar e of f th e ground .
Leav e on e windo w ope n slightl y (i f
th e ca r i s bein g store d indoors) .
Disconnec t th e battery .
Suppor t th e fron t an d rea r wipe r
blad e arm s wit h a folde d towe l o r
ra g s o the y d o no t touc h th e
windshield .
T o minimiz e sticking , appl y a
silicon e spra y lubrican t t o al l doo r
an d hatc h seals . Also , appl y a bod y
wa x t o th e painte d surface s tha t
mat e wit h th e doo r an d hatc h seals . Cove
r th e ca r wit h a "breathable "
cover , on e mad e fro m a porou s
materia l suc h a s cotton .
Nonporou s materials , suc h a s
plasti c sheeting , tra p moisture ,
whic h ca n damag e th e paint .
Driv e you r ca r ever y mont h fo r
abou t 3 0 minutes . Thi s wil l kee p
th e IM A batter y charge d an d in
goo d condition .
I f yo u stor e you r ca r fo r 1 2 month s
o r longer , hav e you r Hond a deale r
perfor m th e inspection s calle d fo r i n
th e 2 4 months/30,00 0 mile s (48,00 0
km ) maintenanc e schedul e (Norma l
Conditions ) a s soo n a s yo u tak e it
ou t o f storag e (se e pag e 150 ). Th e
replacement s calle d fo r i n th e
maintenanc e schedul e ar e no t
neede d unles s th e ca r ha s actuall y
reache d tha t tim e o r mileage .
Maintenanc e

Exterio
r Car e

Although almost all exterior panels on
your Honda are made of hardened
aluminum, they may dent more easily
than steel under some conditions.
Exercise care when leaning on or over
any part of the body.

Washin g

Frequen t washin g help s preserv e
you r car' s beauty . Dir t an d gri t ca n
scratc h th e paint , whil e tre e sa p an d
bir d dropping s ca n permanentl y rui n
th e finish .
Was h you r ca r i n a shad y area , no t i n
direc t sunlight . I f th e ca r i s parke d in
th e sun , mov e it int o th e shad e an d
le t th e exterio r coo l dow n befor e yo u
start .
Onl y us e th e solvent s an d cleaner s
recommende d in thi s Owner' s

Manual .
Chemical
solvents and strong cleaners

can damage the paint, metal, and

plastic on your car.

Rins e th e ca r thoroughl y wit h coo l
wate r t o remov e loos e dirt .
Fil l a bucke t wit h coo l water . Mi x
i n a mil d detergent , suc h a s
dishwashin g liqui d o r a produc t
mad e especiall y fo r ca r washing .
Was h th e ca r usin g th e wate r an d
detergen t solutio n an d a soft -
bristl e brush , sponge , o r sof t cloth .
Star t a t th e to p an d wor k you r wa y
down . Rins e frequently . Chec
k th e bod y fo r roa d tar , tre e
sap , etc . Remov e thes e stain s wit h
ta r remove r o r turpentine . Rins e it
of f immediatel y s o it doe s no t
har m th e finish . Remembe r t o re -
wa x thes e areas , eve n if th e res t o f
th e ca r doe s no t nee d waxing .
Whe n yo u hav e washe d an d rinse d
th e whol e exterior , dr y it wit h a
chamoi s o r sof t towel . Lettin g it
air-dr y wil l caus e dullin g an d wate r

spots .

A s yo u dr y th e car , inspec t i t fo r
chip s an d scratche s tha t coul d allo w
corrosio n to start . Repai r the m wit h
touch-u p pain t (se e pag e 200 ).
Appearanc e Car e

NOTIC
E
NOTICE

Interio
r Care , Corrosio n Protectio n

Window s
Clea n th e windows , insid e an d out ,
wit h a commercially-availabl e glas s
cleaner . Yo u ca n als o us e a mixtur e
o f on e par t whit e vinega r t o te n part s
water . Thi s wil l remov e th e haz e tha t
build s u p o n th e insid e o f th e
windows . Us e a sof t clot h o r pape r
towel s t o clea n al l glas s an d clea r
plasti c surfaces .
The rear window defogger wires are
bonded to the inside of the glass.
Wiping vigorously up-and-down can
dislodge and break the defogger wires.
When cleaning the rear window, use
gentle pressure and wipe side-to-side. Ai
r Freshener s
I f yo u wan t t o us e a n ai r freshener /
deodorize r i n th e interio r o f you r car ,
i t i s bes t t o us e a soli d type . Som e
liqui d ai r freshener s contai n chemi -
cal s tha t ma y caus e part s o f th e
interio r tri m an d fabri c t o crac k o r
discolor .
I f yo u us e a liqui d ai r freshener ,
mak e sur e yo u faste n it securel y s o it
doe s no t spil l a s yo u drive .
Corrosio
n Protectio n

Tw o factor s normall y contribut e t o
causin g corrosio n in you r car :
1 . Moistur e trappe d in bod y cavities .
Dir t an d roa d sal t tha t collect s i n
hollow s o n th e undersid e o f th e
ca r stay s damp , promotin g
corrosio n in tha t area .
2 . Remova l o f pain t an d protectiv e
coating s fro m th e exterio r an d
undersid e o f th e car .
Man y corrosion-preventiv e measure s
ar e buil t int o you r Honda . Yo u ca n
hel p kee p you r ca r fro m corrodin g
b y performin g som e simpl e periodi c

maintenance :

Repai r chip s an d scratche s i n th e
pain t a s soo n a s yo u discove r them .
Appearanc e Car e

NOTIC
E